A DAD has been described as 'the life and soul of the party' by his son, following his sudden death at the age of just 37.

Callum Price, aged 21, paid tribute to his dad, Steve Bradley, after he died as a result of a rare complication from tonsillitis.

The family and friends of Mr Bradley, of Ribble Close, Worcester, are now collecting money for his funeral.

Callum, of Lilac Avenue, Worcester, said: "He was a great dad. I can't fault him. He loved all his kids. We are all going to miss him lots.

"He was an energetic person. He told jokes to everyone and was the life and soul of the party.

"When he was younger he liked playing football. He got into skittles and darts as he got older."

Callum said his dad used to work as a barman, and at one point ran The Bridge pub in Lowesmoor Terrace, and later fitted windows for Autoglass.

He added that Mr Bradley was a keen pool player and took part in a league in the city.

Callum said his dad called an ambulance in Medway Road, Worcester, at around 1.40pm on January 10.

By the time paramedics arrived at 2.10pm he was already dead, according to Callum.

The father-of-seven died from quinsy - a tonsillitis complication resulting in an abscess on a tonsil.

Callum, who works at Dunelm, in Blackpole, said: "I spoke to him the night before and he said he had a bad throat and that was it.

"He didn't seem bad. It was a definite shock."

Mr Bradley's lifelong friend, Trudy Gormley, has organised a raffle and a tombola to help raise money for his funeral.

She said: "Everyone loved Steve. Think of Ant and Dec, mix them up, then you've got Steve.

"He was a huge character in the community. He could walk into any room and make it shine.

"We are going to miss him so much. We want to give him the best send-off we can."

Ms Gormley is asking kind-hearted locals to donate raffle or tombola prizes, which can be dropped off at the Gun Tavern.

The fundraising event will take place at the pub on Saturday January 26, between 2pm and 5pm.

Mr Bradley is survived by Callum and his five other children, Summer-Jean, Brandon, Grant, Izzabelle and Jackson.

His other son, Owen, died of cot death in 2005.

To donate towards Mr Bradley's funeral costs go to https://bit.ly/2T2rZ2n

The fundraising page has already raised more than £950.

For information about buying raffle or tombola tickets go to https://www.facebook.com/bradtollyarmy/